FLOW Coordination NURSE; PT

Overview

The Flow Coordination Nurse is responsible for optimizing patient throughput by coordinating admissions, transfers, and discharges in collaboration with nursing units, providers, bed management, and ancillary departments. This role monitors hospital capacity and patient flow in real time, proactively identifying and addressing barriers that impact patient movement. The position supports safe, efficient transitions of care, reduces delays, and enhances the patient experience.

• Reports to:
  
  Manager of Patient Care Services
• Collaborates with:
  Nursing leadership, Bed Management, Case Management, Physicians, Therapy Services, and Support Services

• Monitor hospital capacity and patient flow in real time, proactively identifying and addressing barriers that impact admissions, transfers, and discharges.
• Facilitate and coordinate all patient admissions, transfers, and discharges across assigned units.
• Collaborate with bed management and nursing leadership to ensure appropriate patient placement.
• Prioritize admissions based on acuity, capacity, and organizational needs.
• Anticipate throughput challenges and implement real-time solutions to maintain patient flow.

• Coordinate direct admissions and transfers from internal and external sources.
• Ensure discharge readiness through ongoing assessment and collaboration with the interdisciplinary team.
• Assist with or lead discharge processes during high-volume periods.
• Identify and elevate barriers to timely discharge, including delays related to clinical readiness, transportation, placement, or pending diagnostics.

• Conduct Interdisciplinary Rounds (IDR) on weekends to support progression of care and timely discharge planning.
• During rounds, review and facilitate key elements of care progression, including:
  • Oxygen utilization and weaning, including escalation to the 6-Minute Walk Test (6
    
    MWT) when appropriate
  • Diet advancement
  • Electrolyte management
  • Elimination status
  • Ambulation and mobility goals
• Identify and elevate barriers to discharge or transfer during rounds, collaborating with physicians, nursing staff, case management, therapy services, and ancillary departments to support safe and timely patient progression.

• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams including physicians, case management, therapy services, and ancillary departments to ensure effective communication and coordination of patient care and discharge planning.
• Serve as a liaison between nursing, providers, case management, environmental services, transport, and ancillary departments.
• Participate in daily throughput or bed huddles and provide real-time updates on capacity, pending admissions, and discharge status.
• Communicate proactively to align patient placement, readiness, and resource availability.

• Support achievement of key organizational metrics, including length of stay (LOS), discharge before noon, ED boarding time, and bed turnaround time.
• Utilize data, dashboards, and rounding insights to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.
• Recommend and support implementation of process improvements to enhance throughput and patient experience.

• Provide direct patient care support as needed during peak admission and discharge times.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory and organizational standards during transitions of care.
• Reinforce patient and family education related to discharge instructions when appropriate.

• Experience in charge nurse, throughput, bed management, or case management roles preferred

• Minimum 2–3 years of acute care nursing experience required
• Strong clinical judgment and prioritization skills
• Advanced communication and interdisciplinary collaboration
• Ability to manage multiple competing priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Systems thinking with a focus on patient flow and operational efficiency
• Problem-solving and critical thinking skills

• Current Illinois Registered Nurse (RN) licensure
• Basic Life Support…